Reflections on an exploding stash!

Santa Baby, I've been a very bad girl this year!! I purchased tons of stuff, with absolutely no idea, what I was going to make! Sure, I whipped up some class samples, and made an Inspiration or two, but did I really need all of those pearls? I ask you, would you?

Then, let's chat about the paint I purchased. Yes, I absolutely needed the Pebeo Fantasy paints, Adirondack, Alcohol Inks, Ice Resin, Iced Enamels, Gilders Paste, Mica Powders, and Spectrum Noir markers, for workshops I was teaching, but did I need so darned many of them? Not to mention seed beads, shaped beads, stones, buttons, bezels, rusty objects, found items, and perhaps even a cabochon or two. Should I mention the findings, threads and tools? It doesn't matter, because they make me happy, and if that means that Santa is not going to slide down the chimney this year, then so be it!

Now, how about talking about the stash from my pre-beading life, when I fancied myself a fibre artist? I own piles, and piles of thread, paint, paper, embroidery floss, and even a bunch of yarn (despite the fact, that I don't knit). It's not like it suddenly disappears, in a puff of smoke, when I head off in a new direction! It's still there, and it's clogging up my studio, and if the truth be told, my living and dining room, and storage area. When will I ever learn? I'd be embarrassed to show a photo of said studio, so I won't....but believe me, you're not missing anything! Sign me up for hoarders anonymous!

So, in the interest of full disclosure, I've been participating in an international paper swap, for a couple of years. Do I need more paper? No, of course not (except as collage fodder for my altered dominos), but I still signed up for 2016 (if anyone is interested, it's www.paperswap.com). It's a fun way to add some unusual papers to your stash, and meet a bunch of lovely people, along the way. Should I mention the fact, that I also monoprint my own papers (mainly for collage, paper beads, and swaps), via a wonderful tool, called the Gelli Arts, Gelli Printing Plate? You'll need to look them up, because they're not sold in the store (but I do use the printed papers, in several of my workshops). There are tons of YouTube videos on the subject, and it's just waaay too much fun!

I'm not really one to make resolutions, but if I were, I'd vow to make a pile of pearl pieces, and perhaps a few mixed media projects, over the holidays. In addition, I would dust off my neglected sewing machine, and give my beads, a little dose of fibre, for good measure! You see, I love it all, and it saddens me, when my older treasures are neglected. But seriously, I really do need to purge and organize my stash!!!

It's an exciting time of the year, despite the fact that Toronto is having unseasonably mild temperatures (by contrast, the above photo was taking after the ice storm, on December 22nd, 2013). There is, no chance of a white Christmas, but that's not stopping us, from celebrating the spirit of the season. So with that, I'll wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and to those that do not celebrate, a happy and healthy holiday of your choice. Enjoy your time with family and friends, and if you get a chance, try to relax, with a few beads! You've earned it!

All Mixed Up at BeadFX

I'm Anne Marie, and I'm here to share Mixed Media with you. I have a passion for beads, textiles, fibre art, bead and thread embroidery, paper, paints, collage, free-form peyote stitch, art dolls, printing, metal, wire, various types of clay, botanicals, found objects, recycling, repurposing, and oh, so much more!  Let's just say that I'm a mixed up media person, with a serious lust for techniques!

You're probably wondering what Mixed Media is all about?   Let's start with the definition (or should I say, one of the definitions out there):

"The term "mixed media art" is a broad definition that covers many arts and crafts, including collage, assemblage (both 2D and 3D), altered objects, including books and boxes, handmade greeting cards, artist trading cards (ATC's) and tags, art journalling and book making.

The "mixed media" used includes paints, papers and board of all descriptions, glues, buttons, fabrics, found objects, photos, metal bits, fibres, things from nature, inks, pencils, crayons, markers, pastels and polymer clays, to name a few." - Mixed Media Art

Why isn't jewellery mentioned in this definition, and where do the beads fit in?  Well, in my case, beads fit with just about everything!  I first used them in my early, fibre art days.   Copper Charlottes mixed in with the embroidery, and even more on the freeform edging.  Oh look, there's even a tree, made out of copper wire!

Now they can be found in some of my more intuitive work.   Beads, lots of lucious, sparkling beads!

I've stitched them onto paper, glued them to rocks, and embedded them into Apoxie Clay. You never know where they'll turn up next!

I admit that I don't work exclusively with beads.   How could I, when there's such a wealth of other materials out there, to tempt me?  I make and teach, how to make, unique jewellery, cabochons, beads and small art pieces, suitable for framing and gift giving.  In the coming weeks, I'll be introducing some of the products and techniques available.  I do teach a variety of workshops at BeadFX, and will be hosting a monthly, Mixed Media: Open Studio, on Thursday evenings, for those interested in exploring this facinating art form. First play date - September 17th.

My upcoming September 19th workshop - "Painted Fantasy: Pendants and Bezels"' explores the mysteries of the new Pebeo Fantasy paint line.   The effects are unique, amazing, and can be used on a wide variety of surfaces.  So far, my substrates of choice have been glass and metal bezels, but I do plan to start combining with other products, and surfaces in the future.   Keep tuned!

Mixed Media is a way to express your creativity in a non-traditional way.   It's a very forgiving art form, that gives you permission to relax, and actually start using some of your collections (also known as stash), while making unique, out of the box, jewellery, gifts and art.   I invite you to join me on this journey of discovery!

Anne Marie